I was going to wait until next week and the next Open Source show to report on the latest with the Kanawha Canal controversy, but then I spotted this in the agenda for tomorrow’s SURPRISE City Council meeting:
“Introduction of Proposed Ordinance to Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Richmond and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority Concerning the Use of Certain Stones from the Kanawha Canal.”
http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/Rivertime/canal0926.htm
http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/Richmond/127-0171_James_River_and_Kanawha_Canal_Historic_District_1971_Final_Nomination.pdf
I know of two relevant rules government Richmond city council meetings. The more important one is FOIA in the Code of Virginia. Samuels should have to explain the urgency that justifies a mere 24-hour notice.
(Received at 12:55PM.)
From: “Smith, Faye – Clerk’s Office”
To: “Smith, Faye – Clerk’s Office”
Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2013 12:44 PM
Subject: Media Advisory
TO: The Honorable Richmond City Council, Media Representatives
FROM: Jean V. Capel, City Clerk
DATE: July 25, 2013
SUBJECT: Richmond City Council Special Meeting
Richmond City Council will hold a special meeting on Friday, July 26, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Code of Virginia
§ 2.2-3707. Meetings to be public; notice of meetings; recordings; minutes.
D. Notice, reasonable under the circumstance, of special or emergency meetings shall be given contemporaneously with the notice provided members of the public body conducting the meeting.
Council’s Rules of Procedure
II. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETINGS
B. Special Meetings: The time, place and agenda of special meetings of Council
shall be determined by a majority vote of Council. In addition, special meetings
of Council shall be held when requested by the Mayor, the President of the
Council, or three or more Members. Such request shall be made to the Clerk, who
shall contact each Member of Council at least twenty-four hours prior to the
meeting in order to schedule it at a time which will be convenient for the largest
number of Council Members. The Clerk shall deliver to each Member of
Council, by hand, facsimile or electronic mail, written notice of any special
meeting at least twenty-four hours before the time designated for such meeting.
The notice shall contain the time, place and agenda item or items of business to be
transacted at the meeting. No other business shall be transacted at such meeting
except by the unanimous consent of all Members of Council. The Clerk shall
notify the public of the time, place and agenda of all special meetings in advance
thereof.
Update: Thanks, Parker. I am certainly in favor of fixing up the Virginia Capital Trail, but given what’s happened with the Kanawha Canal, I think you can understand my concern here. I would like to know if these Canal stones could instead be used to help rebuild and renovate portions of the Canal that have been damaged in the past. I think the public deserves more information about where exactly these stones came from and where they are going. For all we knew, Venture Richmond was scheming to build its amphitheater with the stones.
The other aspect of this of course is the timing. Given the other controversial ordinances on the agenda, and what has gone on with the canal wall controversy, this is a good example of why this ‘special’ Council meeting is very badly planned and leads to public distrust of our City government. Please convey to other Council members that this is not acceptable. According to City code, Council President Samuels should have to explain the urgency that justifies a mere 24-hour notice.
Thank you,
Scott Burger
scottburger@me.com
On Jul 26, 2013, at 9:35 AM, Agelasto, Parker C. – Council Member wrote:
Hi Scott,
This paper is being introduced today and voted at a later date. I will learn more before about that schedule when we meet at 1:00pm. However, I have been told that the project is currently under construction at Great Shiplock Park and is being funded largely by Virginia Capital Trail as part of making a new trail head. I believe the MOU is to grant the use old surplus stones that have been sitting at a storage site for years. Nathan Burrell has told me that many of the stones you see in the James River Park System have come from this supply and they are very careful to track them so to reclaim them in the future if needed.
All the best,
Parker